Utah officials are investigating the actions of so-called “peacekeepers” involved in the fatal shooting of fashion designer Arthur Folasa Ah Loo at the “No Kings” demonstration in Salt Lake City. The investigation will assess the roles and responsibilities assigned to individuals staffing the event, and it’s unclear whether the peacekeepers were hired or acted independently. The Salt Lake City Police Department noted that these individuals, while supporting the event, are considered members of the public with the same rights as any citizen in Utah.
No state permit is necessary to possess a firearm in Utah, and the event’s permit did not authorize armed security. Two men involved in the incident, who were not law enforcement, wore neon green vests and carried handguns. Ah Loo was struck by a bullet intended for Arturo Gamboa, who allegedly brandished an AR-15-style rifle and was arrested on charges related to murder despite not firing the fatal shot. Detective assessments indicated that Gamboa’s actions demonstrated a “depraved indifference to human life.”
In response to the tragedy, the event organizers, 50501 Movement – Utah, expressed their condolences and reaffirmed their commitment to nonviolence and a prohibition on firearms at their events. They emphasized that the presence of weapons contributed to the incident and stated that the loss of Ah Loo would not be forgotten. The investigation continues, focusing on the chaotic dynamics of the protest and the roles played by various individuals amid this tragic incident.
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